“What Liverpool needs to do now to challenge Man City for the Premier League title is,” said Virgil van Dijk.

Virgil van Dijk, captain of Liverpool, talked about the team’s start to the season, how a “downward spiral” has been avoided, and the possibility of playing Man City again for the championship.

After glancing around the locker room, Virgil van Dijk knew what Liverpool would require to continue their surprising title challenge in the Premier League.

Jurgen Klopp’s nine-man bench for Sunday’s visit from Brentford contained three 20-year-olds and four teenagers, three of whom had never played in the premier league before, due to a plethora of injuries and Alexis Mac Allister’s ban.

It didn’t matter, though, as Liverpool put on a strong display, led by another outstanding performance from centre back Van Dijk, to win 3-0 and climb to second place, one point behind leaders Manchester City, with whom they will rematch at the Etihad on Saturday week following the international break.

The tantalising fight serves as a reminder of the present. But are the Reds, who for the past six years have been the only team to truly challenge City’s domination in the domestic game, really prepared to contend for the title once more with a revamped squad?

“Hopefully,” responds skipper Van Dijk. “On Sunday, when I looked in the dressing room, it seemed like we were the under-23 team. Nonetheless, we still have the trait that says you are old enough if you are good enough. However, we must observe, have a little bit of good fortune, avoid injuries, and maintain consistency.

“We have been doing well overall this season, but as we all know, the season is not determined in November and there might be a lot of twists and turns. Before the season even begins, you have all these hopes, plans, and objectives, and you want to compete all the way to the finish in every tournament we take part in. At the start of the season, it is undoubtedly the case, and as the season progresses, so does the individual.

“There’s still a lot to be gained. Although everything is going well, we would have been in a downward spiral if we hadn’t defeated Brentford. This is because, naturally, you don’t prepare properly for a game right after the international break. But we felt good when we were done.”

That slide downhill—a miserable 3-2 Europa League loss at Toulouse following a lacklustre 1-1 draw at Luton Town—was the first major setback for a Liverpool team that saw a major makeover in the summer, spending over £150 million on four new midfield players and promoting a number of Academy graduates.

Additionally, it was the first time the team had been severely strained, as long-term injuries to Andy Robertson, Thiago Alcantara, and Stefan Bajcetic were joined on the sidelines by Joe Gomez, Ibrahima Konate, Ryan Gravenberch, and Curtis Jones due to the demanding match calendar. With the absence of young players Bobby Clark and Conor Bradley, Klopp was left with very little.

However, Liverpool bounced back with a solid performance, and since falling 4-1 at City in April, they have only lost once in their last 23 Premier League games.

Van Dijk states, “It goes without saying that we wanted to show a reaction and we needed to show a reaction.” “It’s minor margins, but you don’t feel great after two games. After we have one shot, everything is completely different. Despite the tie (against Luton), the terrible game in France, and the numerous injuries we had to deal with (against Brentford), I felt we played really well.

Due to injuries sustained over the past several days, we have had to deploy players who aren’t accustomed to playing every three or four days. Many of them found it tough, therefore some players will now have time to heal and get ready for an extremely demanding next month. Just before the half, 3-0, clean sheet, and a positive way to close this phase—you couldn’t ask for more.”

No side has allowed less goals in the Premier League this season than Liverpool, whose shutout was only their fifth in 18 games played thus far.

“We have a great chance of winning games with the quality up front if we keep a clean sheet,” Van Dijk adds. It’s our major responsibility as a back four, the goalie, and number six. We must be careful not to give in. It worked well on Sunday, and we need to maintain it and maintain consistency.”

For the third time this season, Liverpool will return from the international break with an early 12.30pm kickoff, and Klopp will be hoping to have some of his injured players back for the trip to City, even though Mac Allister will be eligible following his one-match ban.

“Sunday was a big one for many reasons, we did that well and when we come back there is a very big one away and we will see if we are ready for that test,” says Van Dijk. It’s never easy over there, particularly after returning from so many other nations. They have the benefit of playing at home, but otherwise it’s exactly the same. We need to be prepared for the early kickoff, so hopefully everyone will return from their games in good shape. That one will be fascinating.”